If you were not able to hear the debate on the union-busting bill being put forth by the GOP in the Iowa legislature, here are some excerpts of our Democratic reps sticking up for us and giving it everything they had.  The GOP shut down the debate because they could no longer tolerate looking at their own reflection in the mirror the Dems were holding up to them.

Mary Mascher (D-Johnson) – “Some public employees get a paycheck with $0 on it because their wages are less than the health care cost and some have to actually pay every month… I will not be supporting this bill. I will not be supporting this amendment. It is nothing but union-busting – be honest about that.”

Chuck Isenhart (D-Dubuque) “this will be a day of infamy in this house and for that reason I will be voting against this bill.”

Vicky Lensing (D-Johnson) “This amendment like this bill is a step in the wrong direction – it is not about fairness, it is taking away rights.”

Tyler Olson (D-CR) “This amendment and this bill attempts to deal a death blow to the ability of teachers and firefighters to publicly bargain – a death blow to all of our public servants. I oppose this amendment.  I oppose this bill and I ask this body to do the same.”

Mary Gaskill (D-Ottumwa) “This bill is oppressive. I have considered yes on this amendment until we discussed yesterday… until I realized this amendment does not cover management…it's only the union employees who are going to be required to pay a portion of their health insurance – not all employees…I would ask that you not vote for this amendment or for this bill.”

Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D-CR) In my opinion this is a bad bill; there is no doubt you are trying to break the middle class by taking down collective bargaining. This bill will take away rights from those who serve us – police officers, firefighters, troopers, teachers..”

Sharon Steckman (D-Mason City) “This amendment specifically applies only to public employees covered by collective bargaining – it is singling out one segment of the population who work for our state…”

Deborah Berry (D-Waterloo) “It is a form of discrimination whether we want to see it that way or  not.  When you say that one group has to give up something and the others do not, that is discrimination.  I don't see that this is much different than telling a group that you have to pay and other groups do not.  No matter how we look at it, it is not fair. It is something I cannot and will not support. We've lived this before and it isn't right. This is discriminating against a certain class of people.”  

Bob Kressig (D-Cedar Falls) “This bill is going to affect many of your constituents back home.  This amendment and this bill is an attempt to gut collective bargaining in Iowa…They [GOP] want someone who is taking $700 per month to pay $100 for insurance the same as someone who is taking home $2000-3000 per month -where is that fair?  People are conceding wages so they can keep health insurance..”

[Unidentified Dem] “Under this unfair amendment, a union member would  have to pay for their insurance while a non-union member would not. To say that this amendment and bill doesn't aggressively work to bust unions is absolutely fictitious…it's ludicrous..we have to take a stand because we're trying to fight for our public workers…I'll certainly be voting against this amendment and against this bill.”

Curt Hansen – (D) Fairfield – “I've changed my mind on this amendment.  I don't favor changing insurance rules to favor one group of employees over another group of employees. I'm not ready to vote for legislation that opens the door for sweetheart deals to our upper level employees and management.  I don't want to divide our employees…this is very unfair and I shall not support this bill.”

We have now arrived at the appointed time – GOP cuts off the debate.

Click here to show your Dem reps some Friday love – it's been a tough week.  While the bill is not expected to make it through the senate where Dems have the majority, it would be a good idea to let your senator know how you want them to vote.  We only have a majority of two, and the stakes couldn't be higher.